Shall we not free ourselves from the horror of satanic gloom, and hasten
towards the rising light of the heavenly Beauty? In such wise, we bestow
upon you the fruit of the Tree of divine knowledge, that ye may gladly and
joyously abide in the Ridván of divine wisdom.

In another sense, by the terms ‘sun’, ‘moon’, and ‘stars’ are meant such
laws and teachings as have been established and proclaimed in every
Dispensation, such as the laws of prayer and fasting. These have,
according to the law of the Qur’án, been regarded, when the beauty of the
Prophet Muḥammad had passed beyond the veil, as the most fundamental and
binding laws of His dispensation. To this testify the texts of the
traditions and chronicles, which, on account of their being widely known,
need not be referred to here. Nay rather, in every Dispensation the law
concerning prayer hath been emphasized and universally enforced. To this
testify the recorded traditions ascribed to the lights that have emanated
from the Day-star of Truth, the essence of the Prophet Muḥammad.

The traditions established the fact that in all Dispensations the law of
prayer hath constituted a fundamental element of the Revelation of all the
Prophets of God—a law the form and the manner of which hath been adapted
to the varying requirements of every age. Inasmuch as every subsequent
Revelation hath abolished the manners, habits, and teachings that have
been clearly, specifically, and firmly established by the former
Dispensation, these have accordingly been symbolically expressed in terms
of ‘sun’ and ‘moon’. “That He might prove you, which of you excel in
deeds.”(25)

Moreover, in the traditions the terms “sun” and “moon” have been applied
to prayer and fasting, even as it is said: “Fasting is illumination,
prayer is light.” One day, a well-known divine came to visit Us. While We